‘Condoms and Drugs’: Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Flotilla

The Israeli Navy has intercepted 175 activists from more than 20 vessels attempting to make their way to Gaza. The vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla were intercepted overnight off the Greek island of Crete.The Israeli Foreign Ministry released a video of the activists “enjoying themselves aboard Israeli vessels” as they sailed towards Israel on Thursday morning. “This is the ‘medical aid’ found aboard the PR stunt flotilla: condoms and drugs,” the ministry said in a statement with a video showing the alleged condoms and drugs. The flotilla accused Israel of “smashing engines and destroying navigation arrays” on their vessels without offering any proof. “The military retreated — intentionally leaving hundreds of civilians stranded on powerless, broken vessels directly in the path of a massive approaching storm. Furthermore, communications with multiple vessels have been jammed, severing their ability to coordinate or signal for help,” the flotilla claimed on X. The flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona on April 12, was rocked by a scandal earlier this month when Palestinian group Heart of Falastin accused a senior leader of sexual misconduct. “A senior leader within the flotilla — a member of the steering committee, the highest governing body of the organization — engaged in sexual relations with multiple activists while on the boat heading to Gaza. Not one person. Not two. Three different individuals,” the group claimed, according to the New York Post. “To do it on the boat, while heading to a nation undergoing genocide, with volunteers who are under your authority . . . is a clear violation of ethics and power,” it added. The Jerusalem Post later revealed that the accused Flotilla leader was Brazilian activist Thiago Avila.Mr. Avila later denied any wrongdoing in a text to the New York Post, saying: “These allegations are obviously not true.”“The ethics committee talked to all three people mentioned and they confirmed that this is just a smear campaign, that we are comrades and nothing ever happened,” he added. Anti-Israel activists have made several attempts to break the blockade on Gaza via sea since October 7. All of the vessels have so far been intercepted by the Israeli Navy. Climate activist Greta Thunberg, as well as members of the European Parliament were onboard previous flotillas and deported after their vessels were intercepted by Israel.

‘Condoms and Drugs’: Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Flotilla

‘Condoms and Drugs’: Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Flotilla

More from the New York Sun

Press Secretary Katie Zacharia Accused in Formal Complaint of Violating State Law by Lying About Her Legal Experience

Net Closes on Ilhan Omar’s Family: Subpoenas Issued, New Probe Into ‘Missing Millions,’ and Focus on Father’s Role in Dictatorship

Zelensky Accuses Trump of Betraying Ukraine After Starlink Turned Off and Drones Lost Mid-Mission

Pope Leo’s Cancer Diagnosis Puts His Powerful Pontificate in Question — and Raises Specter of Papal Succession

Mick Jagger: The 83-Year-Old Rolling Stone Who Rewrote the Rules of Aging

Dublin Hotel Cancels Reservations for Delegates Attending Antisemitism Conference

Ailing Basketball Star Held in Indonesia on Drug Conviction Begs Trump To Break Bureaucratic Gridlock

Metallica Takes Stand Against Divisive Politics at Concerts — and Activists Freak Out

More from the New York Sun

Press Secretary Katie Zacharia Accused in Formal Complaint of Violating State Law by Lying About Her Legal Experience

Net Closes on Ilhan Omar’s Family: Subpoenas Issued, New Probe Into ‘Missing Millions,’ and Focus on Father’s Role in Dictatorship

Zelensky Accuses Trump of Betraying Ukraine After Starlink Turned Off and Drones Lost Mid-Mission

Pope Leo’s Cancer Diagnosis Puts His Powerful Pontificate in Question — and Raises Specter of Papal Succession

Mick Jagger: The 83-Year-Old Rolling Stone Who Rewrote the Rules of Aging

Dublin Hotel Cancels Reservations for Delegates Attending Antisemitism Conference

Ailing Basketball Star Held in Indonesia on Drug Conviction Begs Trump To Break Bureaucratic Gridlock

Metallica Takes Stand Against Divisive Politics at Concerts — and Activists Freak Out